12.14.06

After benching outspoken nutjob Jeremy Roenick (pictured above from far better days) for watching some of Tuesday’s game from a restaurant, the Phoenix Coyotes are somehow managing without having JR’s stunning goal output this season (one) in the lineup and currently lead the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 in the second period. If not for Owen Nolan’s somewhat inexplicable production (now seven goals, eight assists in thirty-one games) this season, Phoenix would be leading the new NHL in sending aging, washed-up stars out to pasture, e.g. Brett Hull last season. Reminder to slow, washed-up defensemen: Philadelphia is still your destination of choice.

Since Kevin did it, I figure that the Can’t Stop the Bleeding readership might appreciate a little insight into who is cramming NHL news and scores into their daily allotment of Will Leitch hatred and New York Mets hot stove chatter. My name is Sebastian. I’m a graduate student in English at Boston College. My family heritage of hating the New York Yankees while residing in the Hudson Valley has largely turned me against my home teams, but my baseball aims have been temporarily aligned with those of the underreported local squad in Boston. I’m far more likely, however, to air my thoughts on the Detroit Red Wings goaltending situation (dump Hasek for a longterm solution before he eats Kris Draper as a mid-morning snack) or the University of Illinois starting five (Rich McBride must go). Yes, I share an alma mater with Will Leitch, but I have never eaten my weight in Crunch Wrap Supremes.

Last place in the west belongs to the 7-19-4 St. Louis Blues and I can’t imagine anyone taking that away from them. Don’t get me wrong; the Coyotes are a bland, identity-less team barring their coach and will be neck and neck with the L.A. Kings all season for worst in the Pacific. But unless the California Golden Seals have a reunion tour, the Blues will stay at the bottom.

The Red Wings have been a constant source of frustration this season since they made Hasek the short-term solution to their goaltending issue. I won’t argue that Manny Legace has more upside than Hasek, but Legace isn’t fond of quitting on teams midseason, coming down with bizarre injuries, getting in Czech roller hockey fights, etc., so part of me would rather have him on board. If anything, Hasek playing well as infuriated me even more, since now they don’t feel the pressing need to play Jimmy Howard or acquire a viable young goaltender who’s ready to start.